Maple Leafs Defender Morgan Rielly Linked to 3 NHL Teams in Trade Rumors

The Toronto Maple Leafs may look to move the $7.5 million defenseman this offseason, with the Sharks, Blackhawks, and Kraken reportedly interested.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style illustration depicting a hockey defenseman in motion, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of blue, red, and white colors.The Maple Leafs face tough decisions on the future of star defenseman Morgan Rielly, who has drawn interest from several NHL teams.Chicago Today

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing an important offseason, with the futures of stars like Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly in question. A new report indicates that three NHL teams - the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, and Seattle Kraken - have shown interest in acquiring Rielly, the Leafs' offensive-minded defenseman who has four years left on his $7.5 million contract.

Why it matters

Rielly is a talented puck-moving blueliner who can quarterback a power play, but his production dipped this past season. A trade could allow the Leafs to free up salary cap space and reshape their roster, while providing a new opportunity for Rielly with one of the interested teams.

The details

In 78 games during the 2025-26 season, Rielly recorded 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 total points, his lowest point total in several years. However, his 11 goals were the second-highest of his career. Rielly's power play production also declined, with just 6 power play points after recording at least 10 in each of the previous 5 seasons.

  • The Maple Leafs' season ended with a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators in April 2026.
  • The trade interest in Rielly was reported by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period in recent weeks.

The players

Morgan Rielly

A talented offensive-defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs who has 4 years remaining on a $7.5 million contract.

Auston Matthews

A star forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs whose future with the team is also in question this offseason.

San Jose Sharks

An NHL team that has reportedly shown interest in acquiring Rielly from the Maple Leafs.

Chicago Blackhawks

An NHL team that has reportedly shown interest in acquiring Rielly from the Maple Leafs.

Seattle Kraken

An NHL team that has reportedly shown interest in acquiring Rielly from the Maple Leafs.

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What they’re saying

“Rielly has four more seasons remaining on his contract after this one and comes with a $7.5 million salary cap hit. Teams like the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, and Seattle Kraken have been rumored to have interest in him, should the Leafs look to move him.”

— David Pagnotta, Reporter, The Fourth Period

What’s next

The Maple Leafs will have a busy offseason ahead as they evaluate the futures of Rielly and other core players. The three teams linked to Rielly will likely continue to monitor the situation and potentially make trade offers if the Leafs decide to move the defenseman.

The takeaway

Rielly's decline in production this past season, combined with his sizable $7.5 million cap hit, could make him an attractive trade target for teams looking to bolster their blue line. The Sharks, Blackhawks, and Kraken have been identified as potential suitors, with Chicago and San Jose standing out as the best fits based on their roster needs and salary cap space.